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#Post#: 141588--------------------------------------------------
O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: August 26, 2025, 3:04 am
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Morning all. Telegraph and others, reporting that Borthick wants
to bring Lee Blackett in to run the attack and move the box
kicking supremo to defence. Maybe there is light at the end of
the tunnel??
Steve Borthwick, the England head coach, wants to bring in Lee
Blackett to run the attack as part of a rejig of his backroom
staff which would see Richard Wigglesworth move to a defensive
role.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Bath are now in talks over
whether Blackett can be released on a permanent basis after he
was seconded to England during their successful summer tour to
Argentina and the US.
Blackett, who has been attack coach at the Rec for the past two
seasons, signed a long-term deal at the beginning of this year
and it remains to be seen if the reigning English champions will
agree to his release.
Telegraph Sport understands that Borthwick was hugely impressed
by the work of Blackett and Sale’s defensive guru Byron McGuigan
on this summer’s tour, when England went undefeated in their
three Tests.
Both coaches were given the opportunity to temporarily plug the
gap left by Wigglesworth’s involvement as an assistant with the
British and Irish Lions tour of Australia.
It is understood that, as part of Wigglesworth’s ambitions to
become an international head coach in the future, the former
scrum-half and Premiership appearance record-holder is keen to
take the defensive reins in order to progress his coaching
growth. This is part of a pre-agreed development plan. The
42-year-old is currently Borthwick’s senior assistant coach.
On England’s summer tour to Argentina, Blackett, 42, said: “I
don’t think I’ve ever hidden the fact that one day I would love
to do it [coach international rugby]. How could you not have
enjoyed what went on last year with Bath? But, definitely, one
day down the line; when that is, time will tell. You’re just
looking to get that opportunity. Working as a head or in the
international game is somewhere I would like my next jobs to be.
But, I’ve been really enjoying my attack-coach role.”
Joe El-Abd is England’s current defence coach and, should the
RFU succeed in securing Blackett’s services, he will be replaced
in that role by Wigglesworth. El-Abd, the former Bristol flanker
and university friend of Borthwick, will remain as part of
England’s coaching staff, however, occupying a more general
strategic remit, with emphasis on the forwards. Kevin Sinfield
will continue in his role as skills coach with Tom Harrison
marshalling the scrum.
Borthwick did not just admire the on-field work of his coaching
staff in Argentina, he was also left impressed by the spirit and
culture that had been created among his squad, missing 13
players owing to the Lions series. That environment has clearly
left an indelible impression on the head coach.
“I couldn’t be prouder of these players and the spirit that they
have, which is incredible,” Borthwick said after the second Test
victory over the Pumas.
“I want to bottle the spirit of La Plata, the spirit of San
Juan, and take it with us wherever we go. This group have been
brilliant. They have trained with great intensity, they play
with great intensity and they run hard for each other – what an
England team does.
“They work for each other and with that kind of attitude, we’ll
keep getting better.”
Both the RFU and Bath declined to comment when approached by
Telegraph Sport.
#Post#: 141590--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: A222Quin
Date: August 26, 2025, 3:50 am
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That would definitely make sense. Which means circumstances will
somehow conspire to make it not happen.
#Post#: 141591--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Yareet
Date: August 26, 2025, 3:51 am
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Hadn't realised you were so desperate for Wiggy to look after
defence? 😏
#Post#: 141592--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Nico Wilson
Date: August 26, 2025, 4:30 am
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Didn't England want NEv and Laurie said no?
#Post#: 141595--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: poorfour
Date: August 26, 2025, 4:41 am
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--- Quote from: Nico Wilson link ---
>
> Didn't England want NEv and Laurie said no?
>
--- End Quote ---
Not quite. England wanted NEv on a series by series basis after
his involvement in the 6 Nations (IIRC), Laurie said that it
wasn't workable for either NEv or club to have him dipping in
and out, so they either needed to offer him a permanent role or
stop asking. They stopped asking.
#Post#: 141599--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Rocker
Date: August 26, 2025, 5:45 am
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Blackett as attack coach would be great, not sure what
Wigglesworth has on Borthwick....
#Post#: 141600--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: August 26, 2025, 5:48 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> Hadn't realised you were so desperate for Wiggy to look after
defence? 😏
>
--- End Quote ---
Well, it couldn't get much worse.....oh, wait a minute
😁.
Thing is, now they're outlawing the Caterpillar, what will Wiggy
add?????
#Post#: 141602--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Yareet
Date: August 26, 2025, 6:26 am
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--- Quote from: Rocker link ---
>
> Blackett as attack coach would be great, not sure what
Wigglesworth has on Borthwick....
>
--- End Quote ---
I seem to remember that Eddie had an idea of training Borthwick
up as his apprentice/successor. To me, it feels now that
Borthwick is doing the same with Wiggy.
#Post#: 141606--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: August 26, 2025, 8:40 am
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--- Quote from: Rocker link ---
>
> Blackett as attack coach would be great, not sure what
Wigglesworth has on Borthwick....
>
--- End Quote ---
I've heard pictures including Goats, but don't quote me
#Post#: 141607--------------------------------------------------
Re: O/T Has Borethick been visitited by 3 Ghosts???
DIR By: Banstead Quin
Date: August 26, 2025, 8:44 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> I seem to remember that Eddie had an idea of training
Borthwick up as his apprentice/successor. To me, it feels now
that Borthwick is doing the same with Wiggy.
>
--- End Quote ---
The report did say that he had international head coach
ambitions but we've already seen how dangerous that can be, Andy
Robinson, anyone?
Maybe he can start out in Papua New Guinea and we can give him a
call when we need him???
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